Staff

Rupert Ayton

Vice President, Finance and Operations

Rupert joined NACF in 2011 and is responsible for all operating functions of the organization. He is a former financial executive with over 30 years of financial management experience as an officer or consultant to for-and non-profit organizations. He holds a BA in accounting from California State University-Northridge and an MBA from Golden Gate University. He comes from an artistic family and is a painter in his spare time.

Francene J. Blythe

Diné/Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota/Eastern Band Cherokee

Director of Programs

Francene joined NACF in 2015 as Director of Programs, overseeing the strategic development, implementation and evaluation of public programs, outreach and funding opportunities. She has a broad background in project management and arts and cultures, having worked for the National Geographic Society, the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage at the Smithsonian Institution, and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian. Francene received her MA in Theater Management at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and her BA in Theater from Doane College.

Laura Cales

Chickasaw Nation

Program Coordinator

Laura coordinates the administration and logistics of NACF programs, with special emphasis on the Mentor Artist Fellowship. She earned her MA in Art History with a specialization in Modern Art and Critical Theory from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a BA in Art History from Wright State University. Prior to joining NACF in 2016, she worked for the Biennial of the Americas in Denver, Colorado.

Valerie Egan

Development Coordinator

Valerie is passionate about supporting the Native Arts and Cultures mission through her work in philanthropy and communications. A non-profit arts and cultures administrator since 2004, she works with individual donors, foundations, tribal communities and corporations to direct donations and share inspirational news and stories through the NACF social media channels. She holds an MA in Non-profit Arts Administration from the University of Oregon, an MA in Teaching from Oregon State University, and a BA in Romance Languages and Humanities. She joined the team in 2016.

Elizabeth Madrigal

Project Manager

Elizabeth has always been deeply involved with the arts as both a practitioner and advocate. Inspired by Indigenous art, past and present, she joined the team in 2010 and feels privileged to work in the field. Coupled with an enterprising spirit, a background in marketing, finance, software and business ownership serves her well in business administration, outreach and special projects.

Gabriella Tagliacozzo

Executive Project Manager and Board Liasion

Gabriella joined NACF in 2013. Her 20 years of experience in the non-profit world, a multicultural upbringing, and her journalism and music backgrounds, are well put to use in her role at the organization. She coordinates the activities of the Executive Office, oversees the logistics and implementation of several of the organization’s special events, and is also the editor of NACF’s quarterly newsletter.